Holbeach born scientist saved millions of lives
Tuesday, 9.45am: A SCIENTIST born in Holbeach whose research saved the lives of millions of people has died aged 87.
But despite his philanthropic work Sir Walter Plowright's origins in the Fens were little known until reports of his death spread across the world.
Veterinarian Sir Walter, who attended Moulton Grammar School and Spalding Grammar School, created an affordable vaccine against the cattle virus Rinderpest which had obliterated cattle herds in the Third World.
His tissue culture rinderpest vaccine (TCRV) provided lasting immunity against the virus, which is expected to be completely eradicated later this year.
Experts believe an additional 70 million tonnes of meat and more than one billion tonnes of milk have been produced in the developing world as a result of his work, which was recognised with presentation of the World Food Prize in 1999.
Walter Plowright was born in Holbeach on July 20, 1923, the second son of Jonathan and Mahala Plowright.
He attended Moulton Grammar School from 1934, which transferred to Spalding Grammar School in 1939, before studying at the Royal Veterinary College.
After qualifying in 1944 he was posted to Kenya, where he complemented his laboratory work with regular field trips to inoculate thousands of animals.
His testing and application of the vaccine for rinderpest is also regarded as an important influence on the study of other viral animal diseases such as African swine fever, pox viruses, and herpes viruses.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation predicts that the cost of eradicating Rinderpest was less than $3 million, and because of it Africa produced additional food output worth an estimated $47 billion.
If Rinderpest is eradicated it would be only the second disease in history to have been removed through human efforts, after smallpox.
After retiring his expertise continued to be in demand as a consultant and visiting lecturer.
Sir Walter, who died on February 19, is survived by wife Dorothy.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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